Heart Health News

Health Highlights: May 10, 2013

Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Judge Refuses to Put Hold on Order for Wider Access to Emergency
Contraceptive

A federal judge has refused to put on hold his order giving the
Food and Drug Administration 30 days to lift age limits and other
restrictions on the sale of the Plan B emergency contraceptive.

The Obama administration plans to appeal the decision handed
down last month by U.S. District Judge Edward Korman in Brooklyn,
N.Y. and asked him to put his order on hold until the appeal is
heard,
The New York Timesreported.

But Korman said Friday he would give the government until noon
on Monday to seek a stay from the U.S. Second Circuit Court of
Appeals.

"The motion for a stay pending the appeal is denied. Indeed, in my view, the defendants' appeal is frivolous and is taken for the purpose of delay," Korman said in a 17-page order, The Timesreported.

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Avoid Juices Incorporated Products: FDA

Consumers should not drink carrot and beet juice products made
by Juices Incorporated of Brooklyn, N.Y. because the juices may be
contaminated with bacteria that cause botulism, the Food and Drug
Administration says.

Botulism is a serious and potentially fatal illness caused by
Clostridium botulinum. Even if the juices do not look or
smell spoiled, consumers should not drink them, the FDA said.

The products are packaged under the brand names Juices
Incorporated, Juices International and Juices Enterprises. The
products were previously distributed in New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut and Pennsylvania, but were recently found in stores and
restaurants in the New York City area, and consumers may have
transported the products beyond this region, the FDA said.

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New COPD Drug Approved by FDA

A new drug called Breo Ellipta has been approved to treat
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration said Friday.

COPD is a serious lung disease that worsens over time and is the
third leading cause of death in the U.S.

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation
powder) has been approved for the long-term, once-daily,
maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD,
including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It is also approved
to reduce exacerbations of COPD in patients with a history of
exacerbations.

The approval is based on a study of 7,700 patients. It found
that those treated with Breo Ellipta showed improved lung function
and reduced exacerbations compared to those who received a placebo.
The drug works by decreasing airflow in the lungs and helping
muscles around the airways of the lungs stay relaxed in order to
increase airflow, the FDA said.

The drug is not approved for the treatment of asthma and carries
a boxed warning about an increased risk of asthma-related death.
Serious side effects associated with the drug include increased
risks of pneumonia and bone fractures. The most common side effects
include inflammation of the nasal passage, upper respiratory tract
infection, and headache.

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3 Suspected Cases of SARS-Like Virus Reported in France

Three new suspected cases of people with a deadly new SARS-like
virus are being investigated by health officials in France, and a
65-year-old man confirmed to have the virus remains in
hospital.

The man became ill after returning from Dubai on April 17 and
was hospitalized on April 23. A nurse, doctor and former hospital
roommate who had contact with the man are in hospital and their
test results are expected later Friday, the
Associated Pressreported.

There have been 30 confirmed cases of the new SARS-like
coronavirus since September 2012 and 18 of the patients have died,
according to the World Health Organization.

Cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United
Arab Emirates, Qatar, Britain and Germany. Health officials say the
virus has likely spread from person to person in some cases, the
APreported.

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U.S. Lawmakers Investigating Stimulant in Workout Products

An inquiry into the safety of an amphetamine-like substance in
some popular workout and fat-burning products sold at GNC stores
has been launched by U.S. lawmakers.

The products contain a stimulant called dimethylamylamine
(DMAA), which the Food and Drug Administration believes is an
illegal dietary supplement ingredient. Last month, the agency
warned consumers that DMAA was potentially dangerous,
The New York Timesreported.

Products that contain DMAA include Jack3d and OxyElite Pro, made
by USPlabs.

In letters sent Wednesday, three Republican members of the
oversight subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce sent a letter to GNC -- the nation's largest dietary
supplement chain -- asking why products containing DMAA were still
for sale,
The Timesreported.

"FDA issued a consumer safety alert noting that the agency had received 86 adverse event reports associated with products containing DMAA, including psychiatric disorders, heart problems, nervous system disorders and deaths," the letter stated. "However, as of May 7, 2013, GNC continues to sell Jack3d on its Web site."

The lawmakers also sent letters to the FDA and USPlabs. Last
month, USPlabs said it was phasing out the original Jack3d and
OxyElite Pro products containing DMAA. GNC continues to sell both
products and a spokeswoman said the company "has no reason to
believe that DMAA is unsafe,"
The Timesreported.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.